Scholar transport driver school

Drivers of Scholar transport should keep to the laws of the road. Photo: Pixabay.com

BACK TO SCHOOL: Scholar transport safety for children on focus

No turning back from Back to School, parents and guardians are urged to check the roadworthiness of their children’s transport

Scholar transport driver school

Drivers of Scholar transport should keep to the laws of the road. Photo: Pixabay.com

Back to School: With schools opening for the 2023 academic year this week, most parents and guardians whose children are not eligible for government-sponsored learner transport will be making arrangements with private service providers to transport their children back to school.

SCHOLAR TRANSPORT A PRIORITY FOR BACK TO SCHOOL

The Department of Transport has urged parents, guardians and institutions to ensure that vehicles transporting children are roadworthy and are not overloaded.

The department further tipped the parents and guardians to be mindful of the validity of the vehicle’s operating disc.


“The operating license will contain the route, timetable, and validity period.”

Department of Transport

ALSO READ: Gauteng Traffic Police caution Scholar Transport operators [PICS]

Here are more tips from the Department of Transport:

  • A driver transporting learners must have a  professional driving permit.
  • A vehicle transporting children must have a valid operating license, which should have the route, timetable, and validity period clearly stated on it.
  • Children should be transported in a suitable vehicle, and this does not include the back of a bakkie. 
  • Never allow your child to be overloaded in a vehicle. Protect your child, and put their safety first when getting them transported to school.

THE SERIOUSNESS OF UNROADWORTHY TRANSPORTS

In a related matter, a Gauteng school pupil, 9, died in November last year when his private scholar transport vehicle got into a collision in the West Rand.

The Gauteng Education Department said the private scholar transport carried primary and secondary school pupils.

The accident happened in Azaadville in the West Rand, said Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Steve Mabona.
According to reports, the pupils were from Dr Yusuf Dadoo Primary School and Ahmed Timol Secondary School, Mabona said.

“Reports also state that a 9-year-old Grade 3 boy learner from Dr Yusuf Dadoo Primary suffered severe injuries as a result of this accident,” said Mabona.

The boy was airlifted to the hospital. But he, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries and died while receiving medical treatment.

ALSO READ: Gauteng school pupil, 9, dies in scholar transport accident